Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 3:51 p.m.

U.S. services index slips on sharp fall in orders

WASHINGTON — U.S. service companies expanded at a steady but slightly slower pace in December as sales dipped and new orders plunged to a four-year low. The report suggests economic growth may remain modest in the coming months.

The Institute for Supply Management said Monday that its service-sector index fell to 53 last month, down from 53.9 in November. Any reading above 50 indicates expansion.

A measure of new orders plummeted 7 points to 49.4, the first time it has dropped below 50 since July 2009. A gauge of business stockpiles also fell sharply.

But a gauge of hiring increased 3.3 points to 55.8, evidence that services firms are adding more jobs.

That's a good sign for December's jobs report, which will be released Friday.

The survey covers businesses that employ 90 percent of the workforce, including retail, construction, health care and financial services firms.

Anthony Nieves, chairman of the ISM's services survey, said the declines in orders and business stockpiles likely occurred after "a little bit of excess" had built up in anticipation of the winter holidays. He expects the orders index to recover in the coming months.

The rise in hiring suggests companies are still "confident enough in the pipeline to add jobs," he added.

The drop in new orders would point to slower growth, if it continued, economists said. But most expect the decline will be temporary.